Weapons and Large Props Rules and Regulations

Please keep in mind that Ottawa Pop Expo is a family oriented show, and the rules regarding weapons are designed to keep everyone safe.

Ottawa Pop Expo is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all persons attending the convention. Any item that Ottawa Pop Expo believes may be a weapon must be immediately taken to Weapons Check for examination. Weapons that Ottawa Pop Expo determines are admissible will be marked with an identifying tag and may be brought into the convention. Any weapon that Ottawa Pop Expo considers to be prohibited must be stored at Weapons Check or immediately removed from the convention. The decision of the Weapons Master, or their designate, is final and will be strictly enforced to ensure a safe environment for all attendees.

Failure to respect any of the weapon rules may result in any or all of the following:

Confiscation of weapon or item, without return;

Loss of admission to the show without refund;

The involvement of law enforcement agencies; and/or

Other actions deemed appropriate by Ottawa Pop Expo.

DEFINITIONS

Weapon is defined as any item or object that the Ottawa Pop Expo Weapons Master considers to be a weapon.

Weapons Master is the representative of Ottawa Pop Expo who implements and enforces the Ottawa Pop Expo Weapons Policy- either directly or via designated staff. The decision of the Weapons Master, or their designate, is final.

Admissible Weapon is a weapon that has been examined by the Weapons Master, or their designate, and is permitted to be brought into the convention. A small identifying tag will be affixed to the weapon to identify it as admissible.

Prohibited Weapon is a weapon that has been examined by the Weapons Master, or their designate, and is not permitted to be brought into the convention. The weapons must be stored at Weapons Check or immediately removed from the convention.

Weapons Check is the area, or areas at Ottawa Pop Expo where all items that may be considered weapons are inspected by Ottawa Pop Expo and determined to be either admissible or prohibited.

PROCEDURES

Ottawa Pop Expo reserves the right to require that any item entering the convention, or which is found to be anywhere within the convention, be made available at any time for examination by Ottawa Pop Expo staff to determine the items admissibility status.

Any item that Ottawa Pop Expo determines may be a weapon must be immediately taken to Weapons Check for examination. Weapons that already have a tag may be re-sent to Weapons Check in order to validate the tag. Pop Expo staff may escort the weapon to Weapons Check.

The Ottawa Pop Expo Weapons Master, or their designate, will examine the weapon and determine if it is admissible or prohibited.

Admissible weapons will have a small identifying tag affixed to the weapon- in a location determined by the Weapons Master, or their designate. The tag must remain on the weapon for the duration of the convention. Tampering, altering or removing the tag during the convention may result in the weapon being determined as prohibited and/or the removal of the person from the convention.

Prohibited weapons must be stored at Weapons Check or immediately removed from the convention.

Any inappropriate behaviour with a weapon which puts the safety of any person or property at risk will not be tolerated. This includes horseplay, mock fighting, or other activities deemed inappropriate by Ottawa Pop Expo.

Refer to the SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES section below for the procedures related to weapons that are purchased at the convention.

Examples of Prohibited Weapons

The following list provides some examples of prohibited weapons. Ottawa Pop Expo reserves the right to determine the admissibility and prohibit any item or weapon.

Firearms and Projectile Weapons.

Live firearms including airsoft, modern, hunting, or historic, either functioning or decommissioned, are not permitted under any circumstances;

Replica firearms made from metal, solid resin/plastic/rubber are not to be brought onto convention grounds;

Close imitations are allowed if they are made of acceptable materials and as long as they are not and cannot fire like an actual replica (e.g. a musket that does not have the proper firing chamber, or a pistol that does not have a bored barrel);

Any prop, item or weapon that is capable of firing any projectile or powder charge of any kind is prohibited;

All other firearms/projectile weapons are required to have orange safety tips at all times on convention grounds, however, they can be removed for photography or competition purposes as long as they are reattached when moving around the convention;

Nerf guns and other foam dart guns are allowed, but they must not have any foam darts loaded at any time and,

Bows and slingshots are allowed, however, they must be de-strung. There must be no capacity to fire any object from the bow or slingshot. Arrows and other items used in bows or slingshots are prohibited.

Lasers

Ottawa Pop Expo prohibits any and all laser pointers in the convention. If a prop or weapon includes a laser pointer, it must be rendered non-functioning (e.g. batteries must be removed).

Illegal Weapons

If it’s illegal outside the convention, it’s illegal inside the convention- and therefore prohibited. Examples include (but are not limited to):

Bali-song ("butterfly knife") or switchblade/drop blade style knives;

Nunchucks, tonfas, shurikens, or similarly restricted martial arts weapons which are illegal under the law (foam models of these items are permitted); and,

Metal swords, metal knives and other active martial arts weapons are not allowed to be brought onto any of the convention grounds. Failure to comply will result in being banned from the event without refund and local authorities will be contacted;

Metal weapons purchased at the convention are subject to the policy direction in the SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES section below;

Metal chains or other similar items are prohibited;

Costume swords are admissible if they are bound in such a way that they can’t be drawn; and,

Blunt weapons such as baseball bats, cricket bats, and hockey sticks are prohibited.

Prop Weight, Shape and Material Restrictions

Any items with sharp points, sharp edges, excessive weight or any other features that are deemed dangerous to others by Ottawa Pop Expo are prohibited and;

There is no set weight limit for items, but Ottawa Pop Expo reserves the right to prohibit heavy items on a case-by-case basis.

Please note that at the discretion of the Weapon Master, LightsabersARE permitted as long as their bulb is not made of glass.

If a Weapon is Considered Prohibited

Should a weapon fail to meet the safety criteria of the Weapons Master:

You must remove the weapon from the convention grounds immediately. (e.g.: your hotel room or vehicle); or,

The weapon must be left with the Weapon Master and placed in storage. It will be returned to you when you leave the convention grounds.

Failure to respect these requirements may result in the weapon being confiscated without return.

Picking Up Checked Weapons

It is the individual’s/owner’s responsibility to pick up their checked weapons as they exit the convention. Any props or weapons left with the Weapons Master beyond the closing of Weapons Check on Sunday become the property of Ottawa Pop Expo.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Weapons Purchased from Exhibitors

Exhibitors are required to ensure that any items that they offer for sale or that are on display at the convention respect all applicable local, provincial, or federal laws. Any weapon that is purchased must be immediately and securely boxed or otherwise wrapped in heavy paper or cardboard and Exhibitors must inform the purchaser that the item must be taken immediately away from the convention or stored at Weapons Check.

Costume Masquerade

If attendees wish to include the use of a weapon in their Masquerade appearance, they must seek and receive approval from the Ottawa Pop Expo Masquerade Director prior to the registration deadline. The Masquerade Director may consult with the Weapons Master when considering the approval of a weapon. Approval will be determined on a case-by-case basis, and always at the full discretion of Ottawa Pop Expo.

Autograph Signing

Attendees who wish to have a prohibited weapon signed by a Guest must immediately report to Weapons Check when they enter the convention, complete any required paperwork, and leave the weapon at Weapons Check. The prohibited weapon will be escorted by Ottawa Pop Expo to and from the Autograph area. After being signed, the weapons must immediately leave the convention or be stored at Weapons Check.

Contacting Ottawa Pop Expo about the Weapons Policy

If you have any questions regarding the Weapons Policy please contact Ottawa Pop Expo prior to the convention through the Ottawa Pop Expo contact information on the website, subject: Weapons Master.

While the Weapons Master may offer advice on which weapons are appropriate, Ottawa Pop Expo reserves the right to determine the admissibility of any weapon at the time of the convention, regardless of any prior information provided to the attendee.

If you have any questions, please contact us through our contact form.

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